Moms of littles talk about sleepless nights and sticky hands, but let’s be real—raising tweens, teens, and young adults requires a whole different kind of energy. 😳
✔ Sleep deprivation? Still happening. ✔ Emotional roller coasters? Absolutely. ✔ Needing Jesus AND coffee? Every. Single. Day.
Motherhood doesn’t slow down—it just changes. And Nehemiah 8:10 gives us exactly what we need: ✨ “…The joy of the Lord is your strength.” ✨
Because without God’s joy, we’d all be running on caffeine and desperation. 😂
1️⃣ From “Mommy” to “Mo-oooom”
Remember when your little one followed you everywhere? Now, they disappear into their room for hours, only coming out to say, “There’s nothing to eat.” 🤦♀️
✔ Parenting teens means adjusting. You’re no longer in the “kiss the boo-boo” stage—you’re in the “listen without freaking out” stage.
✔ They need space, but they still need YOU. Even when they act like they don’t.
✔ God is growing them—and stretching you. 😅
So take a deep breath, say a prayer, and keep the coffee flowing. ☕
2️⃣ God’s Joy > The Drama
Teen years are FULL of emotions. One minute, they’re your best friend; the next, they’re mad because you breathed wrong. 😆
But Nehemiah 8:10 doesn’t say “The perfect parenting strategy is your strength.” It says, “The JOY of the Lord is your strength.”
✔ Joy helps you laugh instead of lose it. ✔ Joy reminds you this is just a season. ✔ Joy allows you to be their safe place—no matter how moody they are.
When the attitudes are strong, let your joy be stronger. 💛
3️⃣ You’re Still the Mom—Even When They’re Grown
Just because they graduate doesn’t mean you stop being Mom. The job description just changes.
✔ Young adults still need guidance—even if they pretend they don’t.
✔ Your prayers are more powerful than your lectures. (Philippians 4:6)
✔ You are still their anchor, even as they navigate adulthood.
Your influence doesn’t stop—it just shifts. And God is guiding both of you.
4️⃣ When You’re Parenting Through Prayer (Not a Plan)
You’ve read the books. Tried the charts. Made the chore lists. And still—your teen is giving side-eye, your young adult is ghosting your texts, and you’re left whispering, “Lord, help.” 🙃
✔ At this stage, there’s no one-size-fits-all method—only a consistent invitation to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
✔ Prayer doesn’t just change them—prayer changes you. It softens your tone, shifts your focus, and reminds you who’s really in control.
✔ Even when you don’t have the answers, you know the One who does—and that gives you strength. You may feel like you’re making it up as you go, but God isn’t. He sees every tear, every prayer, and every “God, I don’t know what to do.”
And that? That’s where joy lives—in the surrender. 💛
✝️ 📚 Mini Bible Study: Holding On to Joy (Nehemiah 8:10)
Scripture Focus:
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
📖 Context:
This verse is spoken to a group of Israelites who were weeping after hearing God’s word read aloud. They were convicted, realizing how far they’d drifted. But Nehemiah tells them not to stay in their sorrow. Instead, he encourages them to find strength in God’s joy.
👀 Application:
It’s easy to feel like we’re failing, especially when raising teens and young adults. The conversations are heavier, the decisions are bigger, and the emotions are louder. Yet, this verse reminds us not to let guilt or fear steal our strength.
Joy isn’t something we earn by doing motherhood perfectly. Joy is something we receive from God’s presence. Even when you’re unsure, overwhelmed, or feel like you’re barely holding it together—God is steady. He doesn’t expect perfection. He simply invites you to stay close.
That closeness is where strength is renewed. That’s where joy begins to rise again. 💛
✨ Key Takeaway:
- You don’t have to be a perfect parent to experience joy.
- God’s joy gives real strength—especially when yours is running low.
- You can raise big kids with big emotions and still live with big joy.
💬 Reflection Questions:
- Where have you been parenting from fear or guilt?
- How would your day feel different if you chose joy first?
- What truth from God’s Word can you cling to when emotions are high?
✏️ Journal Prompt:
Write down 3 ways you’ve seen God at work in your teen or young adult life lately. Thank Him for the process—even when the fruit isn’t fully visible yet.
🌈 Real-Life Joy Moments with Big Kids
- They come sit with you while you’re sipping coffee, even if they say nothing.
- They ask for your opinion (but act like they already know the answer).
- They hug you unexpectedly or text “I love you.”
- They call from college because they miss your cooking.
These are not small. These are holy. Joy lives here.
💛 Final Sip of Encouragement
Mama, raising big kids is no joke. But you were built for this. You’re not doing it alone. Joy isn’t optional—it’s essential. And you have full access to it through Jesus.
Even when the house is loud and your soul feels quiet, God is near. He’s not measuring your perfection—He’s meeting you with presence.
So today, choose joy. Pray often. And keep the coffee hot.
📣 Call to Action
Drop a ☕ if you’re raising tweens, teens, or young adults! And grab your “Mom’s Coffee: Because Tiny Humans Require Big Energy” mug—because, let’s be real, this job requires caffeine AND Jesus. 😂
👋 Hello,
Hi, I’m Hello Felicia (no bye felicia here), a physician assistant turned creative content writer, coffee and tea enthusiast, and Christ follower. I help moms (and the professionals who serve them) find peace in the chaos through bite-sized encouragement and bold faith. Welcome to FaithSips.com, where motherhood meets Scripture and Grace.
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